• Facebook
• Twitter
• Flipboard
• Comments
• Print
• Email

The president was clear we must stand behind our police officers, DEA administrator says

DEA Administrator Terry Cole unpacks efforts by President Donald Trump to make Washington, D.C., safe again on 'The Story.'

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) head and new overseer of D.C. police Terry Cole outlined the Trump administration's "unified effort" for reducing violent crime in the nation’s capital after meeting with the police chief Tuesday. 

"We cannot afford to turn a blind eye," Cole told "The Story." "We have tremendous cooperation, tremendous intel sharing, and what's most encouraging, the police are looking forward to doing their job again."

FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL BACKS TRUMP'S DC POLICE TAKEOVER: 'WHEN YOU LET GOOD COPS BE COPS, THEY DELIVER'

President Donald Trump federalized Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Monday, enabling federal agencies and the National Guard to supervise local police but not make arrests themselves. On Monday night, 850 National Guard officers patrolled the streets of the capital. 

President Donald Trump and members of the National Guard (Associated Press)

Cole touted the arrests that followed Trump’s "Liberation Day" announcement. 

"Just in the last two days, we've had 60 arrests that are very impactful. We've taken 17 firearms off the streets. Last night, we arrested somebody that was wanted for a murder," he shared.

TRUMP CLAIMS DC CRIMES TROUNCE STATS FROM NOTORIOUSLY VIOLENT CITIES WORLDWIDE

The DEA administrator went on to clarify how federal agents will work "hand in hand" with MPD.

A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent takes part in a search warrant at a Healthplus Pharmacy for evidence related to an opioid pill mill, in Miramar, Florida, in August 2022. Recent DEA operations in Miami resulted in the seizure of $10 million in cryptocurrency linked to Mexico's Sinaloa cartel. (Reuters/Marco Bello)

"Starting tonight, we will be embedded with the Metropolitan Police Department," Cole announced. "You will also see an increase of activity, patrol activity in certain sectors, to go after the violent criminal offenders that are the drivers of this crime."

MSNBC HOST REVEALS DC JOURNALIST PRIVATELY SHARED CONCERNS ABOUT CRIME WHILE PUBLICLY DENOUNCING TRUMP'S PLAN

As Democratic critics of the federal takeover cite statistics of violent crime being at a "30-year low" in the nation’s capital, Cole insists people "do not feel safe," and police officers "do not feel empowered."